what is so great about a cruise?
Jan 30th, 2002 | 05:23 PM
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
Top 10 reasons I'll never cruise again:
1. No matter what anyone says, the ship is crowded if it is sold out or close to sold out. You have to compete for everything -- seats by the pool, seats in the theatre, elevators, seats in the one better restaurant. Days at sea when everyone has to be on the boat are the absolute worst.
2. The time in port is so short (always less than a day) that you have almost no chance to sample local culture.
3. The ship's entertainment offerings can be quite lame. The ship comedian. The movie you can rent at Blockbuster or already saw. The lounge act. It ain't Broadway.
3. Steam table food. Not bad, but certainly nothing to write home about. Quantity is way more important than quality on a cruise. I'd rather sample local cuisine, thanks.
4. Your day is scheduled, whether you like it or not. Be here for dinner by this hour. Be there for the live show or lose your slot. Get there early for the cooking demonstration before it fills up. Get back to the boat by x time or we sail without you. That was not relaxing.
5. Claustrophobic quarters. Yes, you can pay to upgrade, but cabins are plenty smaller than hotel rooms.
6. Everything is sanitized for your protection. If you somehow can't find your way to a local beach in port, you can pay a bunch of money for an excursion to take you there. Anything to keep cruisers away from the locals.
7. Ports were probably the worst parts of the islands. Or, at least, I hope so. The local culture at port seems to exist to sell you cheap trinkets. It is much easier to avoid that by traveling on your own.
8. No place for quiet relaxation. The pool is busy and noisy, the restaurants are busy and noisy, the deck is busy and noisy.
9. Ship-board announcements telling you the itinerary for the day. Very intrusive.
10. Bottom line: when I returned, I hadn't learned anything about the places I visited. In contrast, I learn plenty on my European vacations, and I was intellectually and culturally enriched by those trips.
Cruising is often cheaper than a land-based vacation, but my experience was that you get what you pay for. Cruising isn't for everyone, so I hope this helps you figure out whether it is for you. Good luck with your decision.
1. No matter what anyone says, the ship is crowded if it is sold out or close to sold out. You have to compete for everything -- seats by the pool, seats in the theatre, elevators, seats in the one better restaurant. Days at sea when everyone has to be on the boat are the absolute worst.
2. The time in port is so short (always less than a day) that you have almost no chance to sample local culture.
3. The ship's entertainment offerings can be quite lame. The ship comedian. The movie you can rent at Blockbuster or already saw. The lounge act. It ain't Broadway.
3. Steam table food. Not bad, but certainly nothing to write home about. Quantity is way more important than quality on a cruise. I'd rather sample local cuisine, thanks.
4. Your day is scheduled, whether you like it or not. Be here for dinner by this hour. Be there for the live show or lose your slot. Get there early for the cooking demonstration before it fills up. Get back to the boat by x time or we sail without you. That was not relaxing.
5. Claustrophobic quarters. Yes, you can pay to upgrade, but cabins are plenty smaller than hotel rooms.
6. Everything is sanitized for your protection. If you somehow can't find your way to a local beach in port, you can pay a bunch of money for an excursion to take you there. Anything to keep cruisers away from the locals.
7. Ports were probably the worst parts of the islands. Or, at least, I hope so. The local culture at port seems to exist to sell you cheap trinkets. It is much easier to avoid that by traveling on your own.
8. No place for quiet relaxation. The pool is busy and noisy, the restaurants are busy and noisy, the deck is busy and noisy.
9. Ship-board announcements telling you the itinerary for the day. Very intrusive.
10. Bottom line: when I returned, I hadn't learned anything about the places I visited. In contrast, I learn plenty on my European vacations, and I was intellectually and culturally enriched by those trips.
Cruising is often cheaper than a land-based vacation, but my experience was that you get what you pay for. Cruising isn't for everyone, so I hope this helps you figure out whether it is for you. Good luck with your decision.
Jan 30th, 2002 | 10:00 PM
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Vicki,
I have gone on a number of cruises and have also gone around the U.S. and abroad by myself.
Cruising definetley has it's benefits, all of them listed above. But, don't feel like you "should cruise" just becasue someone says you should. It's your life! It's your trip in more ways than one.
Be honest, you must have had a travel dream of your own. We all do. A nice start would be to get your own ideas.
Rent the Movie: SHIRLEY VALENTINE!!!! That'll give you a start. A woman in her late 40's (?) who's always wanted to travel, but has stayed home and done everything for everyone else. And one day she recalls HER DREAM, her vacation and the joy begins!
Search Fodor's sites for: Europe*
Ask yourself what do I LIKE? Snow, blue water, sun and fun, history, art, theatre, dancing? Go ahead, knock yourself out. Be yourself!
I have gone on a number of cruises and have also gone around the U.S. and abroad by myself.
Cruising definetley has it's benefits, all of them listed above. But, don't feel like you "should cruise" just becasue someone says you should. It's your life! It's your trip in more ways than one.
Be honest, you must have had a travel dream of your own. We all do. A nice start would be to get your own ideas.
Rent the Movie: SHIRLEY VALENTINE!!!! That'll give you a start. A woman in her late 40's (?) who's always wanted to travel, but has stayed home and done everything for everyone else. And one day she recalls HER DREAM, her vacation and the joy begins!
Search Fodor's sites for: Europe*
Ask yourself what do I LIKE? Snow, blue water, sun and fun, history, art, theatre, dancing? Go ahead, knock yourself out. Be yourself!
Jan 31st, 2002 | 08:24 AM
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
Why I don't cruise.
1. I don't like paying money for everything even if I don't use it.
--12 different meals a day
--Continuous entertainment that I can't possibly attend all shows even if I wanted to
--tips to every Tom, Dick and Harry
--lectures and presentations
2. Shore excursion prices that are extra and expensive
3. Bar bills that add up.
4. Small rooms
5. Long waits to get on and off the ship
6. Schedules that have to be followed. Eat at this time, be there at that time etc.
7. Crowded pools and lack of deck chairs.
8. Continuous announcements over the load speakers.
Stress free, yeah right.
Give me a one or two town stay and I'm much happier.
1. I don't like paying money for everything even if I don't use it.
--12 different meals a day
--Continuous entertainment that I can't possibly attend all shows even if I wanted to
--tips to every Tom, Dick and Harry
--lectures and presentations
2. Shore excursion prices that are extra and expensive
3. Bar bills that add up.
4. Small rooms
5. Long waits to get on and off the ship
6. Schedules that have to be followed. Eat at this time, be there at that time etc.
7. Crowded pools and lack of deck chairs.
8. Continuous announcements over the load speakers.
Stress free, yeah right.
Give me a one or two town stay and I'm much happier.
Jan 31st, 2002 | 08:28 AM
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Cindy:
Excellent summary of MY views on cruising as well.
I'd offer one exception, though.
Most all of what you say relates to the standard major cruise lines and their ships.
If you check into Silversea and a couple of the other small luxury lines you'll find the opposite of most of your experiences.
Yachts instead of mammoth liners.
A few dozen passengers.
Gourmet food cooked to order.
Slow pace. Very nice ports of call. No prefab itineraries to take away all your freedom.
Some which are non-formal (no tuxes etc).
Very interesting people---not much of the 'never been anywhere else but the Las Vegas cheapo motel' crowd.
The downside? The cost.
But the point is that it is possible to buy an enjoyable cruise experience (for the particular people who dislike the mass appeal cruises).
Excellent summary of MY views on cruising as well.
I'd offer one exception, though.
Most all of what you say relates to the standard major cruise lines and their ships.
If you check into Silversea and a couple of the other small luxury lines you'll find the opposite of most of your experiences.
Yachts instead of mammoth liners.
A few dozen passengers.
Gourmet food cooked to order.
Slow pace. Very nice ports of call. No prefab itineraries to take away all your freedom.
Some which are non-formal (no tuxes etc).
Very interesting people---not much of the 'never been anywhere else but the Las Vegas cheapo motel' crowd.
The downside? The cost.
But the point is that it is possible to buy an enjoyable cruise experience (for the particular people who dislike the mass appeal cruises).
Mar 6th, 2002 | 02:27 PM
#30
Guest
Posts: n/a
Vicki- Why not have the best of both worlds- A romantic place and a cruise. Go to France, Stay a few days in Paris, then charter a small boat and cruise down the Canal du Midi. It's beautiful, romantic etc. If you enjoy biking(it's nothing strenuous), stop where you want along the canal and bike for a while through charming country villages and one of the most scenic regions of France. Just writing this makes me wish I was there!
Mar 6th, 2002 | 02:33 PM
#31
Guest
Posts: n/a
I hate cruises. Why would you want to be limited as to where you want to go? Probably because you're such a lemming and because cruises keep you "occupied" - so you don't need to make your decisions.
I lump all people who go on cruises in with the people who like to stay in places like Club Med, Sandals, etc. They just fall inline...and the amazing thing is, some people pay through the nose. They also use a travel agent which is a huge joke nowadays. Jane - don't bother defending yourself here again. We're not interested in hearing about your life as a down and out travel agent.
I lump all people who go on cruises in with the people who like to stay in places like Club Med, Sandals, etc. They just fall inline...and the amazing thing is, some people pay through the nose. They also use a travel agent which is a huge joke nowadays. Jane - don't bother defending yourself here again. We're not interested in hearing about your life as a down and out travel agent.
